Fire-escape ladder



FIRE ESGPE LADDER.

Patented Apr.17,1883.

WITNESSES dwfw) n. rnzns. Pme@ ogmpmf, washington. D.:

(No Model.) 2 SheetS--Sheet 2. L. HAMLIN.

PIRE. ESCAPE LADDER.l

UNITED STATES PATENT, (larice.

LUCIUS HAMLIN, OF SEBAG() LAKE, MAINE.

FlRE-ESCAPE LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,905, dated April17', 1883.

Application filed December 22, 18.52.

To all whom fit may concern:

Beit known that I, LUoiUs HAMLIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sebago Lake, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine,have invented a new and useful Fire- Escape Extension-Ladder, of whichthe following is a specication, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

This invention relates to an improved extension-ladder that is designedto also serve -as a tire-escape; and it has for its object to provide asimple, durable, inexpensive and efficient device that will operateindependent of the building, and will not necessarily be supportedagainst the same or have anyother connection therewith.

The invention consists substantially in an extensible frame mounted on asuitable portable or stationary platform and carrying a flexible ladder.The frame is provided with mechanism by which it may be quickly andconveniently extended, so as to support the flexible ladder when thedevice is in use.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improvedtire-escape ladderin position for transportation. Fig. 2 is a like viewof the same extended for use. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view of the device when contracted. Fig. et is a verticaltransverse sectional view of the device in like position. Fig. 5 is adetail top view of the extensible frame. Fig. 6 is a horizontalsectional detail view taken through the extensible frame on the line zLa, Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a platform for supporting theextensionladder mechanism. This platform may be of any suitableconstruction, but is preferably constructed as shown in the annexeddrawings, and comprises longitudinal beams B B, united at their ends bycross-beams C (l, and mounted upon wheels D,whereby the apparatus can betransported from building to building, as may be required.

E designates the extensible ladder-supporting frame, which comprisesseveral telescoping sections, F, F2, and F3.. The side pieces f f of thelower section, F, are pivoted near their lower ends to the beams B Bofthe supporting-platform, and are united at their tops by parallelcross-pieces G- G, between which (No model.)

the side pieces f2 f2 of the next section, F2, slide. The side piecesj'zf2 are connected at their lower ends by parallel crosspiecesHH, thatextend and embrace the side pieces ff, and are also connected at theirtops by parallel cross-pieces I I. The side pieces ffof the top section,F3, are connected by extended bottom cross-pieces,J J, and topcrosspiece, K.

The means for extending the frame E comprises the following mechanism: Adrum, L, is xed on a shaft, M, arranged transversely to the said frameE, and journaled in bearings N-N in cross-pieces O O, that are supportedon the beams B B. This drum-shaft M is provided with a crank, P, bywhich it may be operated, and to the drum are secured ropes or cables QQ, that extend from the drum in opposite directions. Each rope Q passesunder bearings R at the lower portion of the side pieces ff, from whichit extends up over bearings S at the top of' said side pieces, underbearings T at the bottom of the side pieces f2 f2, up over bearings U atthe top of the latter side pieces, and is secured to the lower ends ofthe side piecesff3 ofthe top section, F3. By turning the crank P theropes QQ are caused to wind on the drum L to extend the frame E. Theextensible frame may ofcourse be provided with any desired number oftelescoping sections, as described.

The beams B B are provided with a lateral extension, V, in rear of thepivot W of the side pieces ff, against which extensions the lower endsof the latter abut to limit forward swing ofthe frame E on the pivots WW. To the beams B B, in rear of these extensions V, is pivoted an arm,X, that may be thrown forward to a horizontal position, when it willrest on the extension V and abut against the side pieces ff, to preventrearward swing of the frame E. Thus by means ofthe extensions V, whichprevent forward swing of the frame E, and the arms X, which preventrearward swing, the frame E can be locked in vertical position whendesired.

At the front end ofthe platform A a drum, A5, is iixed on a transverseshaft, B5, having 'au operating-crank, C5, and to this drum are securedthe ends of the bottom of a flexible ladder, D5, that is arranged towind on the said drum, and has its ends at the top secured IOD to thecross-piece K. ',Therefore, as the frame, E is extended the ladderunwinds from the drum and is carried up by the extensible frame whichthen supports it while in use. After use the extensible frame may bedrawn down by winding up the ladder on its drum, and when all thesections ot' the said frame have telescoped it is laid over to ahorizontal position, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, so that it canbe conveniently transported, and will pass under the door of theengine-house or other building, where it may be stored.

The herein-described flexible ladder may be constructed of rope or anyother suitable material, and to render it tire-proof it may be formed ofwire or other metallic strands. For the same reason the extensible framemay be formed of metallic tubin fr.

E5 E5 designate horizontal swinging arms, that are pivoted one on eachside to the beams B B, and are provided at their outer ends withdownWardlyextending stakes F5. rlhe function of these laterally-swingingarms '1s to obviate any liability ot' the device falling over laterallyafter it is extended and in position.

The operation and advantages ot' my invention are obvious.

The device is very simple and convenient, and when desired need only befar enough extended to reach to a lower story of the buildlng.

l. In an 'extension-ladder, the combination ot' a base or platformhaving lateral extensions, an extensible frame hinged or pivoted theretoin front of the said extensions, so as to swing rearwardly, a drumjournaled and arranged transversely in front of the frame, and aiiexible ladder arranged to wind on this drum and having its top endssecured to the top ot' the extensible frame, as set forth.

2. 1n an extension-ladder, the combination of a base or platformhavinglateral extensions, and arms pivoted in rear of these extensions,an extensible frame hinged t0 the platform in front ofthe latter, andadapted to be retained in position by the said arms and extensions, anda flexible ladder arranged in front of the said frame and securedthereto, as set forth.

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUCIUS HAMLIN.

\Vitx1esses:

NATHAN GLEAVES, AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT.

